Business and engineering senior Ankur Luthra has won a 2003 Rhodes Scholarship.
Luthra is the 21st Rhodes Scholar from UC Berkeley. The Rhodes Scholarship Trust announced 32 US winners in December from among 981 applicants from 341 colleges and universities nationwide. Scholars receive two to three years of study at the University of Oxford in England.

“Ankur Luthra’s classmates, professors, and friends at the Haas School of Business are cheering at the news of this great achievement,” said Dean Tom Campbell. “His record of academic excellence, integrity, leadership, and commitment to public service will serve as a continuing inspiration to the entire Haas School community.”

Luthra said he intends to pursue a master’s degree in computer science while at Oxford. “In the long term, I want to work on assistive robotics and technology that solves societal problems,” said Luthra. “My parents – my inspiration – are very selfless, and they instilled those values in me. I’ve been very fortunate in my life, so it’s important for me to give back to society.”

While at Berkeley, Luthra founded the nonprofit organization Computer Literacy 4 Kids in 2001 to help underprivileged youth receive computers, software, and training. “I believe it is important to make a difference where you can,” said Luthra. “It’s great to have a global impact, but you can’t forget about problems close to home.”

The Rhodes Scholarship was created in 1902 through the will of Cecil Rhodes, a British philanthropist. It is the oldest international study award available to American students. The US scholars will join a group of international scholars from 18 other jurisdictions around the world.